SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: overZealous1's build thread
MBWorld Fanatic!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 29
From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
Sweet! I trust your analysis of it since you also paint.. How does the hood specifically look?
It's so hard to make such a large part straight when it's constructed in fiberglass, harder to make it stay straight through many heat cycles due to the resin tightening up against the reinforcement as it cures. If it were me, I'd soak it in a spray poly filler, then shoot a thin coat of black basecoat on it and leave it out in the sun for a few weeks to heat cycle it and shrink it as much as possible before blocking it and painting it.
Congrats! I can't wait to see it all come together!
It's so hard to make such a large part straight when it's constructed in fiberglass, harder to make it stay straight through many heat cycles due to the resin tightening up against the reinforcement as it cures. If it were me, I'd soak it in a spray poly filler, then shoot a thin coat of black basecoat on it and leave it out in the sun for a few weeks to heat cycle it and shrink it as much as possible before blocking it and painting it.
Congrats! I can't wait to see it all come together!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 883
Likes: 24
From: Finland
SL600 / SL450 (107) / E350 / BMW M5 E60 / BMW 745i (E23) / BMW X6M / Toyota Hilux 4 WD/ Honda CBX 10
here at last! quality looks very good. impressed by the thickness of the panels. should be easy to make perfect and hold up good against warping over time.
got the new tool box to consolidate alot of my tools and free up counter space so i am a go starting tomorrow morning!!
got the new tool box to consolidate alot of my tools and free up counter space so i am a go starting tomorrow morning!!
Good luck
It's gone be many wide body SL cars before next summer...
Juha
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
i'm giving it 4 days, hahaa. i am planning on having all the panels on by sunday though. then the painstaking task of panel perfection. i am figuring 4 or so hours per panel to be perfect. not that they are bad, but i am a perfectionist when it comes to that stuff. takes a ton of time to make fiberglass panels to look like they are factory stamped steel!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
W124 E500 (RIP), W211 E350 (Sold), R230 SL55 (Current)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
Sweet! I trust your analysis of it since you also paint.. How does the hood specifically look?
It's so hard to make such a large part straight when it's constructed in fiberglass, harder to make it stay straight through many heat cycles due to the resin tightening up against the reinforcement as it cures. If it were me, I'd soak it in a spray poly filler, then shoot a thin coat of black basecoat on it and leave it out in the sun for a few weeks to heat cycle it and shrink it as much as possible before blocking it and painting it.
Congrats! I can't wait to see it all come together!
It's so hard to make such a large part straight when it's constructed in fiberglass, harder to make it stay straight through many heat cycles due to the resin tightening up against the reinforcement as it cures. If it were me, I'd soak it in a spray poly filler, then shoot a thin coat of black basecoat on it and leave it out in the sun for a few weeks to heat cycle it and shrink it as much as possible before blocking it and painting it.
Congrats! I can't wait to see it all come together!
i have had some bad luck with the "spray bondo". not sure if temps were just wrong, but i have had it separate from panels before and bubble. happened on one car i spent 3 months on the paint alone! ugg. but, if you go past the gelcoat you either have to spray that on, or skim coat with filler to close it off again. raw fiberglass and resin will suck in the chemicals and show weave or other things within a couple months if not immediately. i usually just use the very lightweight self leveling type filler though, never had any probs with that stuff.
it is average 40's here right now, so i really can't even do a thick primer as it would not shrink and cure till june!! will do a rattle can guide coat and go from there.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 883
Likes: 24
From: Finland
SL600 / SL450 (107) / E350 / BMW M5 E60 / BMW 745i (E23) / BMW X6M / Toyota Hilux 4 WD/ Honda CBX 10
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
as far as buttoning up the cut in the stock quarter, they also have a metal-metal adhesive that takes the place of welding. i have a bunch of 16ga sheetmetal here and can just glue a piece back in. easiest way to get it water tight again and not having to put any heat into the panel.
i decided to go with misha because it really was the best option based on initial cost, resale, and brand name recognition. the holiday sale was a great price and alex has got top notch service. always answers his phone or emails back very quickly. the packaging was very good and they spent quite a bit of time doing an initial sanding of panels and spraying inside of all panels black. with selling all of my stock stuff and doing work myself, i figured i would be into the whole thing including paint for around $3k. i am sure the cars value will go well over that. besides, it helps keep me busy and out of the famous portland strip clubs, haha.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
i am pretty sure i am going to rob the wheels off my camaro project. they are 19x10 and 20x13 adv monblocks. 275 f and 345 r.
it is these wheels. when i say "these wheels", i mean those exact wheels! lol. i bought those of off jordan, owner of adv, a couple years ago. they have been just sitting on my camaro since. camaro is years from being done and i feel the camaro will look better with a 3 piece wheel than these anyways.
it is chevy bolt pattern, but it looks like i will need a spacer anyways due to offset. there is a few guys on ebay that will custom cut adapter spacers and make them hub centric to car and to wheel based on your specs. all four for $160!!! i havn't seen a misha kitted sl with a monoblock wheel yet, but i really like the looks of the stock bs wheels and having spokes out at face of wheel.
how about you?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 883
Likes: 24
From: Finland
SL600 / SL450 (107) / E350 / BMW M5 E60 / BMW 745i (E23) / BMW X6M / Toyota Hilux 4 WD/ Honda CBX 10
that should be awesome! so looks like there is 3 going right now, lol.
i am pretty sure i am going to rob the wheels off my camaro project. they are 19x10 and 20x13 adv monblocks. 275 f and 345 r.
it is these wheels. when i say "these wheels", i mean those exact wheels! lol. i bought those of off jordan, owner of adv, a couple years ago. they have been just sitting on my camaro since. camaro is years from being done and i feel the camaro will look better with a 3 piece wheel than these anyways.
it is chevy bolt pattern, but it looks like i will need a spacer anyways due to offset. there is a few guys on ebay that will custom cut adapter spacers and make them hub centric to car and to wheel based on your specs. all four for $160!!! i havn't seen a misha kitted sl with a monoblock wheel yet, but i really like the looks of the stock bs wheels and having spokes out at face of wheel.
how about you?
i am pretty sure i am going to rob the wheels off my camaro project. they are 19x10 and 20x13 adv monblocks. 275 f and 345 r.
it is these wheels. when i say "these wheels", i mean those exact wheels! lol. i bought those of off jordan, owner of adv, a couple years ago. they have been just sitting on my camaro since. camaro is years from being done and i feel the camaro will look better with a 3 piece wheel than these anyways.
it is chevy bolt pattern, but it looks like i will need a spacer anyways due to offset. there is a few guys on ebay that will custom cut adapter spacers and make them hub centric to car and to wheel based on your specs. all four for $160!!! i havn't seen a misha kitted sl with a monoblock wheel yet, but i really like the looks of the stock bs wheels and having spokes out at face of wheel.
how about you?
I have assembly the hood and both front fenders at my car now....
I have also thinking about 5 -spoke wheels.... it's easy to wash and clean it's up.
The second option is to use my 3-piece Savini wheels.... I think I only need to buy new lips.... longer lips. 1" longer at the front and 2" longer at the rear.
I have asked about this from Savini BUT NO ANSWER....
Every time If I asked for help they answer me to contact the dealer.
Savini promote here at the forums and there you can contact them directly.... it's don't read anything about to use dealers???
When I bought my new wheel setup from Savini one year ago I must use the dealer.... and I don't know why? When the wheels arrive I found a receipt it one of the package where I saw that the wheels cost approx 4200 USD. I paid approx 6000 USD. So the dealer took. approx 1200-1800 USD.
It's hard to accept the way the misbehave customer outside USA?
So never again SAVINI wheels.. and I don't like how the behave you if you ask something..... they don't even answer or give you an offer.
The another options would be DPE 5-sopke or Tru Wheels 5 spoke or I-forged.
Rennen.... NEVER again.... bad after sale and last time they rob me approx 200 USD. Iconz wheels (The mod city) rob me approx 1000 USD and no warranty.
So watch out for them.....
Monoblock at a Widebody SL would look great and I think you are the first one to use it
Juha
Last edited by Ekselent; Jan 6, 2013 at 04:01 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
it keeps me out of trouble, lol. 14 hours on it today though. i'm just lucky my current gf is almost as excited as me to see it finished! so i don't catch any flack from her about working on it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
Sorry..... I have been very busy
I have assembly the hood and both front fenders at my car now....
I have also thinking about 5 -spoke wheels.... it's easy to wash and clean it's up.
The second option is to use my 3-piece Savini wheels.... I think I only need to buy new lips.... longer lips. 1" longer at the front and 2" longer at the rear.
I have asked about this from Savini BUT NO ANSWER....
Every time If I asked for help they answer me to contact the dealer.
Savini promote here at the forums and there you can contact them directly.... it's don't read anything about to use dealers???
When I bought my new wheel setup from Savini one year ago I must use the dealer.... and I don't know why? When the wheels arrive I found a receipt it one of the package where I saw that the wheels cost approx 4200 USD. I paid approx 6000 USD. So the dealer took. approx 1200-1800 USD.
It's hard to accept the way the misbehave customer outside USA?
So never again SAVINI wheels.. and I don't like how the behave you if you ask something..... they don't even answer or give you an offer.
The another options would be DPE 5-sopke or Tru Wheels 5 spoke or I-forged.
Rennen.... NEVER again.... bad after sale and last time they rob me approx 200 USD. Iconz wheels (The mod city) rob me approx 1000 USD and no warranty.
So watch out for them.....
Monoblock at a Widebody SL would look great and I think you are the first one to use it
Juha
I have assembly the hood and both front fenders at my car now....
I have also thinking about 5 -spoke wheels.... it's easy to wash and clean it's up.
The second option is to use my 3-piece Savini wheels.... I think I only need to buy new lips.... longer lips. 1" longer at the front and 2" longer at the rear.
I have asked about this from Savini BUT NO ANSWER....
Every time If I asked for help they answer me to contact the dealer.
Savini promote here at the forums and there you can contact them directly.... it's don't read anything about to use dealers???
When I bought my new wheel setup from Savini one year ago I must use the dealer.... and I don't know why? When the wheels arrive I found a receipt it one of the package where I saw that the wheels cost approx 4200 USD. I paid approx 6000 USD. So the dealer took. approx 1200-1800 USD.
It's hard to accept the way the misbehave customer outside USA?
So never again SAVINI wheels.. and I don't like how the behave you if you ask something..... they don't even answer or give you an offer.
The another options would be DPE 5-sopke or Tru Wheels 5 spoke or I-forged.
Rennen.... NEVER again.... bad after sale and last time they rob me approx 200 USD. Iconz wheels (The mod city) rob me approx 1000 USD and no warranty.
So watch out for them.....
Monoblock at a Widebody SL would look great and I think you are the first one to use it
Juha
i put in alot of hours on fitting the kit today. it is not fitting quite like i expected. it is going to take weeks to get it perfect!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 14
From: Sydney, Australia
Vath ML63 Brabus C63 SL63 CLK63BS C63BS
i put in alot of hours on fitting the kit today. it is not fitting quite like i expected. it is going to take weeks to get it perfect!![/QUOTE]
After market body kits always suck! It's hard to believe what some vendors can sell, alleging perfect fit etc and keep a straight face doing it. I have a bit of evxperience with body kits from various suppliers and every ingle one needed work/ serious manipulation and downright modification to get to fit. Absolute disgrace
After market body kits always suck! It's hard to believe what some vendors can sell, alleging perfect fit etc and keep a straight face doing it. I have a bit of evxperience with body kits from various suppliers and every ingle one needed work/ serious manipulation and downright modification to get to fit. Absolute disgrace
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
i have had similar experiences. i have had some pieces straight up hit the trash after trying to fit them. quicker to just build from scratch new.
i have looked at many pics of guys installing the kit on their car. it appeared to bolt right up with just minimal blending of the panels to eachother.
i have looked at many pics of guys installing the kit on their car. it appeared to bolt right up with just minimal blending of the panels to eachother.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 883
Likes: 24
From: Finland
SL600 / SL450 (107) / E350 / BMW M5 E60 / BMW 745i (E23) / BMW X6M / Toyota Hilux 4 WD/ Honda CBX 10
i have had similar experiences. i have had some pieces straight up hit the trash after trying to fit them. quicker to just build from scratch new.
i have looked at many pics of guys installing the kit on their car. it appeared to bolt right up with just minimal blending of the panels to eachother.
i have looked at many pics of guys installing the kit on their car. it appeared to bolt right up with just minimal blending of the panels to eachother.
Small problems...
- one of them is the "water reservoir" at the right side.... I'm not sure if you have it at your cars but here in Europe we have it with a heater inside...
Now when I assembly the new BS fender the water reservoir don't fit... the space is to small.....
Maybe the BS reservoir is smaller or it's at another place.
- Rubber sealant (plastic) fasteners at the side skirts are different and don't fit.
I think I must buy new sealants and fasteners at the both sides.
My car is an SL600 from end of 2003.... maybe the neuer cars have different fasteners and rubber sealant but we will see..
- Tomorrow I'm gone assembly the rear pumper.
This kit seems to be good..... I don't need to do big modifications.. normally paint work jobs .... at my opinion they fit together very good and the lines is also 98% perfect.After all parts at the car I need only to do small adjustments.... so so far I'm very happy with it.... but who nows.
Juha
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
wow, you are getting lucky. i am having to rebuild the whole area around one headlight! flanges are at incorrect angles which is putting the parts under tension, not very good for fiberglass.
almost none of the stock hardware is fitting on mine. it is fitting better now that i am just going at it with a grinder and cutting wheel! finally just came to terms i am going to need to do alot of corrective fitment and stopped trying to make it a bolt on type thing.
there has already been a ton of filling and work done on my pieces too. wonder if his molds are starting to go bad?
i am not wanting to talk crap or anything, alex with misha has been great. but after looking at other peoples pics of how everything fit before doing any real fitment, mine isn't at that level. it isn't worth sending back and lose the time, but i was hoping for better due to what i spent on it. i am just lucky i have alot of fiberglass and body work experience. i am going to need it!
came up with a sick front splitter for it though. only designed in head so far, but will post pics once it is built. doing side splitters too. probably making stand offs to raise the wing about 3-4". or, just buying another one. i love the pics i have seen of the bs with the wing up!
almost none of the stock hardware is fitting on mine. it is fitting better now that i am just going at it with a grinder and cutting wheel! finally just came to terms i am going to need to do alot of corrective fitment and stopped trying to make it a bolt on type thing.
there has already been a ton of filling and work done on my pieces too. wonder if his molds are starting to go bad?
i am not wanting to talk crap or anything, alex with misha has been great. but after looking at other peoples pics of how everything fit before doing any real fitment, mine isn't at that level. it isn't worth sending back and lose the time, but i was hoping for better due to what i spent on it. i am just lucky i have alot of fiberglass and body work experience. i am going to need it!
came up with a sick front splitter for it though. only designed in head so far, but will post pics once it is built. doing side splitters too. probably making stand offs to raise the wing about 3-4". or, just buying another one. i love the pics i have seen of the bs with the wing up!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
We went into getting the Prior wide body kit ASSUMING it won't fit. It is just the way it is...thankfully our body and paint guy is fantastic. Once my 993 Turbo build is done, the SL65 will get test fitted. It won't be a good fit from just experience with anything aftermarket.
O...Z...you are my hero for doing this on your own! It makes your build epic!
O...Z...you are my hero for doing this on your own! It makes your build epic!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 883
Likes: 24
From: Finland
SL600 / SL450 (107) / E350 / BMW M5 E60 / BMW 745i (E23) / BMW X6M / Toyota Hilux 4 WD/ Honda CBX 10
I took few pictures from the right side before I came in from the garage.
I have only "hang" on the parts and have not assembly/adjust them together.
The fender is bolted on at the "frame". I have test and push them together and I know they fit pretty well.
I have not decide yet if I'm gone bolt this parts or glue them together...
But al the lines and parts looks like this.
The hood is only with two bolts and it's to much up but it's easy to adjust it to the right level vs fender.
When I have adjust everything I'm gone take more pictures.
What do you think?
Juha
I have only "hang" on the parts and have not assembly/adjust them together.
The fender is bolted on at the "frame". I have test and push them together and I know they fit pretty well.
I have not decide yet if I'm gone bolt this parts or glue them together...
But al the lines and parts looks like this.
The hood is only with two bolts and it's to much up but it's easy to adjust it to the right level vs fender.
When I have adjust everything I'm gone take more pictures.
What do you think?
Juha
Last edited by Ekselent; Jan 6, 2013 at 07:33 PM.
